Coupeville Sports

Former Wolf Joey Lippo is traveling from Coupeville to Maine to pursue his baseball dreams. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Baseball is taking Joey Lippo on another road trip.

The Coupeville High School grad is joining the diamond program at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, an NCAA D-III school.

The Owls, who are coached by Roger Stinson, are part of the 12-team North Atlantic Conference, which covers Maine, Vermont, and New York.

The last time UMPI played a baseball game was April 29, 2019, as the school’s entire 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NAC Athletic Directors have said they will meet in February to decide how the 2021 season will progress.

“I’m not sure what the season looks like but we are hopeful to play a full season,” Lippo said.

For now, he’ll continue his studies in agricultural science and business, while acclimating to a new school.

Lippo most recently attended Green River College in Auburn, where he was on the baseball team with fellow Whidbey grads C.J. Smith, James Besaw, and Hunter Smith.

At UMPI, the former Wolf rejoins Bailey Corley, a teammate on the Seattle Bombers select squad.

“My friend from summer ball got me in touch with the coach, and the school had what I wanted to study,” Lippo said.

He expects to play mostly in the outfield, but adds, “I’m a utility player, so wherever I’m needed.”

During his time in Coupeville, Lippo played tennis, basketball, and baseball.

He was a First-Team All-Conference selection on the diamond, and teamed with William Nelson to compete as the #1 doubles duo for the Wolf tennis team.

Joey’s twin sister, Skyy, is attending The University of Missouri-Kansas City on a dance scholarship.

UMPI is a public university which was founded in 1903 as the Aroostook State Normal School.

After three other name changes over the years, the school has been known as the University of Maine at Presque Isle since 1971.

Alumni at the school include three members of the Maine House of Representatives, as well as grappler James “Chico” Hernandez.

A world champion in the sport of Sambo wrestling, which is based on Soviet martial arts, he was featured on the front of boxes of Wheaties Energy Crunch in 2001.

Hernandez, who coached the wrestling team at his alma mater, has earned 15 world titles, 53 international titles, and 36 USA national titles across eight combat sports.